March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Colorectal cancer, or CRC, is a disease of the colon or rectum, which are parts of the digestive system. Unlike most cancers, colorectal cancer is often preventable with screening and highly treatable when detected early. Most cases of colorectal cancer occur in people ages 45 and older, but the disease is increasingly affecting younger

According to colorectal cancer Alliance

Screening is the No. 1 way to prevent or detect this disease early, when it’s most treatable. With early detection, CRC has a 90% survival rate.When it comes to colorectal cancer, the most common symptom is no symptom. That’s why colorectal cancer is called the silent killer. If you’re 45 and at average risk, get screened!Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer among men and women combined.

Risk Factors

While anyone can develop colorectal cancer, a few conditions can increase risk.Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).Black/African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews are at higher risk.